‘Grinch’ flicks cigarette on Dr. Seuss float, setting it on fire on way to Christmas parade

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A real-life Grinch set fire to Whoville, burning down the Dr. Seuss-themed float before it could reach the Huntsville Christmas Parade in Alabama Thursday.

Jeananne Jackson, the creator of the group behind the float, told WHNT someone flicked a cigarette from another car while they were driving on South Memorial Parkway. Jackson said her husband was driving the truck with the float and she was in another vehicle and saw everything happen.

The cigarette butt landed in several hay bales and the elaborate creation quickly caught fire — three months of hard work up in flames. Jackson said they spent $1,000 in materials for the mobile Whoville replica, built for the Dr. Seuss-themed parade.

The Huntsville Fire Department responded to put out the fire, but most of the structure had burned. Luckily, they were able to save some of the dogs, pigs and other creatures wearing custom-made Thing costumes and wigs.